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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Scenes of Making ITVX’s A Spy Among Friends
Blue Chip Drama Makes It Mark
by Staff | Televisual Media | December 9, 2022
A Spy Among Friends is the first original drama to land on new streaming service ITVX. “It’s a spy story, but larger than that, it’s a story about friendship,” says screenwriter Alex Cary.
The idea came in 2018, when Los Angeles-based Cary got a call from author Ben Macintyre’s manager, who played squash at the same LA club. Knowing Cary had worked on US spy thriller Homeland as writer/producer, he suggested Macintyre’s book A Spy Among Friends.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Faces of Soccer Aid by Andy Gotts
Soccer Aid Portraits for Auction
by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 24, 2022
Some of the world’s biggest stars from the entertainment and sporting industry have been photographed by legendary celebrity portrait photographer, Andy Gotts MBE, for an exhibition at Maddox Gallery in Westbourne Grove, London. The online auction will open at 9:00 am on September 30 and runs through October 9, 2022. Damian’s Lot number is #23. Presented in a floating black wood box frame (with grain), the large Fine Art Giclée Archival Print measures 168 x 117 cm (sheet size 152 x 102 cm). Soccer Aid team: England. Appearances: 5
The stunning portraits, which can be viewed in our Gallery here, were taken behind-the-scenes at Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2021 and 2022, and all proceeds from the sales of the signed prints will support UNICEF’s work helping children around the world to get the best start in life. By tackling the issues that turn childhoods upside down – from war and disaster to hunger and disease – UNICEF helps children to learn, rebuild their lives and gain access to healthcare so they can get back to just being kids.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E7 “The Limitless Sh*t” – June 14, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “The Limitless Sh*t”
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | June 14, 2020
Before getting into “The Limitless Sh*t,” Episode 7 of Billions Season 5, co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien discuss the concept of high-end mental-performance-enhancing drugs; the difficult editing required to pivot into a midseason finale; crew superstars, including the line producer, key grip, and gaffer; obscure references; guest cast; and more (0:05). They next speak with actor-director David Costabile, who plays Mike Wagner, about directing as well as acting in Episode 7, figuring out who Wagner is as a character, old-school NYSE traders, and more (31:05)
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E6 “The Nordic Model” – June 7, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “The Nordic Model”
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | June 7, 2020
Before getting into “The Nordic Model,” S5E6 of Billions, cocreators Brian Koppelman and David Levien discuss the real billionaire art community, this episode’s director Shaz Bennett, script-to-screen changes in location, the show’s stellar sound department, the layers of Chuck Rhodes Sr., a laundry list of obscure references, guest cast performances, and more (0:50). They next speak with actor Stephen Kunken, who plays Ari Spyros, about joining the show as a guest star in the pilot episode, the change in his character’s demeanor as the show progresses, “defending” Spyros to fans of the show online, and more. (32:30).
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E5 “Contract” – May 31, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Contract”
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | May 31, 2020
Before getting into “Contract,” S5E5 of Billions, cocreators Brian Koppelman and David Levien discuss diving into Bobby Axelrod’s childhood; the greatness of the episode’s director, Adam Bernstein; and the costume and wardrobe department’s effect on the show; they also explain some obscure references and shout-out some guest-cast performances (0:30). They next speak with actress, writer, and comedian Eva Victor about her signature style-satire videos; the dynamic relationship between her character, Rian, and Winston; how Eva’s part came about; set stories; and more (36:06).
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E4 “Opportunity Zone” – May 24, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Opportunity Zone”
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | May 24, 2020
Before diving into S5E4, “Opportunity Zone,” ‘Billions’ cocreators Brian Koppelman and David Levien discuss the challenges of filming the opening scene of Episode 4, having Daymond John of “Shark Tank” on the show and the insight he provided, Dominique Wilkins set stories, listener questions, obscure references, and more (0:45). Then they talk with actress Maggie Siff about her coaching scene with Frank Grillo’s character, Nico Tanner, auditioning for the part of Wendy Rhodes, the toughest scenes to play as Wendy, and more (35:23).
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E3 “Beg, Bribe, Bully” – May 17, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Beg, Bribe, Bully”
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | May 17, 2020
Before diving into S5E3, “Beg, Bribe, Bully,” Billions cocreators Brian Koppelman and David Levien discuss real-life examples of billionaire feuds, script-to-screen changes, a stellar performance from the assistant director, guest cast members, obscure references, and more (0:40). Then they talk with author Ben Mezrich about his time in the writers’ room as consulting producer for Season 5 of Billions (32:44).
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E2 “The Chris Rock Test” – May 10, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “The Chris Rock Test”
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | May 10, 2020
Before diving into S5E2, “The Chris Rock Test,” ‘Billions’ cocreators Brian Koppelman and David Levien discuss some parallels between ‘Billions’ and real-life billionaire behavior as well as how the location manager and prop master truly shined in Season 5’s second episode (0:30). Then they talk to Corey Stoll, who plays Michael Prince, about his character, joining an already established show, learning from his castmates, filming at Mohonk Mountain House, and more (36:40).
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Behind the Billions Podcast S5E1 “The New Decas” – May 4, 2020
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Season Premiere
by Brian Koppelman and David Levien | The Ringer | May 3, 2020
Following the season premiere, Koppelman and Levien discuss the show returning for its fifth season, what a showrunner really does, the importance of season openers, and Episode 1 of Season 5 of Billions, “The New Decas” (0:20), before talking to “The Man” Becky Lynch about her cameo in Episode 1 (32:20).
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Introducing ‘Behind the Billions’ – May 2, 2020
Behind the Scenes Podcast on Spotify
by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | May 2, 2020
Introducing ‘Behind the Billions!’ Co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien give a behind-the-scenes look into Billions season five. After each episode’s airing on Showtime, the podcast will unpack the writing of the script, exclusive stories from production, the ideas behind the music cues, and much more on the Spotify app. The 12-episode podcast season will also include interviews with cast and crew members as well as bonus podcast episodes devoted to inside stories from Billions hosts: Brian Koppelman and David Levien. Spotify link here.
Introducing 'Behind the Billions,' a behind-the-scenes look at 'Billions' Season 5, cohosted by @DavidLevien and @briankoppelman! After each episode's airing on Showtime, the podcast will unpack the writing of the scripts, production stories, and more.https://t.co/tDD6dPK0HV
The Showtime series Billions has returned to Westchester County for filming. Today, the production filmed at Yonkers City Hall, 40 S. Broadway. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano tweeted how great it was to catch a picture with Damian and fellow castmate Condola Rashad.
The series has been seen filming continuously in Yonkers which is fitting considering Damian Lewis’ character (Bobby Axelrod) grew up in the city. Scenes for prior seasons have also been filmed at Empire City Casino and Glenwood power station. In years past the show has also been seen filming at Rye Playland, in Orangeburg and White Plains.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Billions Filming in New Paltz and Looking for Extras – Nov 16, 2019
Party Scene at Victorian Castle Resort
by Saba Ali | Poughkeepsie Journal | November 16, 2019
A Showtime series starring Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis will be filming in New Paltz next month. And, the production is looking for locals to work as extras. Billions, which is filming its fifth season, will be shooting at New York’s historic spa resort Mohonk Mountain House on December 2-3. The Victorian castle resort is nestled in the Hudson Valley, only 90 miles north of New York City. Surrounded by 40,000 acres of pristine forest, the National Historic Landmark resort offers farm-to-table cuisine and an award-winning spa.
Billions was looking for an “old-old fashioned, but beautiful hotel” to shoot a party scene, said Hudson Valley Film Commission Director Laurent Rejto. The casting company is seeking background extras to play “wealthy looking people” at a party” he said.
Grant Wilfley Casting is asking New Paltz locals, anyone within 20 miles, to apply. The call is for both SAG-AFTRA and non-union applicants. Extras will be paid and are not required to have previous acting experience.
For those interested, email BILLIONS@gwcnyc.com with your name, union status, phone number and availability for the two set dates.
Billions, which also stars Maggie Siff, Condola Rashad, Toby Leonard Moore and David Costabile, focuses on a U.S. attorney, played by Giamatti, as he pursues a hedge fund tycoon, played by Lewis.
